Most Helpful Customer Reviews

As producer and engineer of this CD, I have to admit that I didn't know how good the results of our work at Ann Arbor would be. The sessions were fine but we had little time to accomodate everyone's schedules and had the inconvenience of working around the University orchestra which was rehearsing the Mahler 1st Symphony next door. Each piece required a different setup and slightly different sound philosophy. Now as I hear the disc again, I'm delighted by the results: imaginative playing of consistently delightful music. The Donald Hall songs are moving and funny, the wind pieces tinged with just a touch of jazz and the Duo for Violin and Viola looks back longingly to more tranquil times. I've never had to record a scream, but the Haunted Labyrinth begins with a convincing one (recorded at 8 AM, no less.) You don't need to be adventurous to try this one.

This CD is worth it, no question, for the 3 Donald Hall songs alone. The musicians are great, Joan Morris is fabulous (so much meaning, so much context and feeling in just one voice) and the poems are powerful, profound, haunting, clever - once you hear them a few times with Morris' magnificent delivery you'll never want to be without them again. Or without her interpretations. Music lovers, song and cabaret lovers, poetry lovers, fans of anything quality - this CD has hidden treasures for you. Morris' ability to convey layers of meaning and deep feeling without ever stooping to sentimentality is amazing - this would be a wonderful introduction to Bolcom/Morris collaborations too.